Joel M Bradshaw

7The LORD said to Joshua, “Today I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with you.–Joshua 3

As a baseball fan, one of the most satisfying things is to see the young players that the team drafted and spent years of investment. Seeing those players advance from the Minor League teams to the Major League team is wonderful. They get called up and get what is called their ‘cup of coffee’ on the big league squad. Some stay and others are sent back down. I bring this up because earlier this season, I didn’t recognize half of the names on the team I root for. Almost all of them came from the Minor Leagues. They were players that were growing up and getting their shot with the established veterans.

That is the meaning of the word in our verse today. It was an exalting in the eyes of the people. They needed to know that all was not lost because Moses had died. He was basically all they had. Joshua needed that imprimatur from God so the people would follow him. So Joshua needed to be magnified and lifted up.

I would say that even if God does this, you as a leader can and should still be humble. In his sovereignty, God places leaders in positions. Joshua was exalted over the people he was to lead so that they would follow him. He was not exalted in a divine way or as a matter of worship. God raised up a servant leader not a despotic king.

The Hebrew word is linked to ‘grew up’ or ‘developed’ or even ‘became.’ God grew Joshua into his role. He gave him public authority and then gave him the ability to wield that authority well. The very God who told him not to be afraid because he would be with him (Joshua 1) made it so Joshua could do the work that was expected of him.

Pay attention to the work of God in your life. He is developing character in you. He is leading you to stop and start in key areas of your life. He is expecting you to learn from him and grow during this season.

The same God who grows leaders of a nation grows leaders in families and in workplaces. Stay in your lane, stay humble, and serve. God will grow you as he sees fit.–JMB